Senior Accountant - DAI

DAI is an employee-owned global development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability.

Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 60 countries. Our integrated development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines—crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS and disease control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change.

Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

Job Description

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Project Background

The USAID-funded Ghana Fiscal Accountability Strengthening Activity (FASA) will work in key areas of Ghana’s public financial management (PFM) ecosystem to enhance the accountability, transparency, and efficiency of public expenditures. After the country defaulted in 2022, significantly raising the cost of living for most Ghanaians, international and domestic attention turned to the government.

Building on the foundation laid by previous reforms, FASA will partner with key Ghanaian institutions such as the Ghana Audit Service and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to raise the bar for fiscal accountability at national and subnational levels.

Position Purpose

The Senior Accountant is a key member of the finance team. S/he will play a pivotal role in assuring adherence to financial policies, project policies and procedures, regulations, controls, and reporting systems. The Senior Accountant will provide accounting support to the project office and ensure compliance of all relevant accounting and financial reporting functions.

Responsible for recording costs and day-to-day general accounting, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, assuring all backup documentation is audit ready, and supporting the Finance and Operations Director with all financial functions..

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Policies & Procedures:

• Ensures that accounting practices are carried out in accordance with GAAP standards; project internal controls are implemented in accordance with DAI policies, USAID rules/regulations, and the terms of the contract.

Financial Administration:

• Uses DAI’s Field Accounting system (FAS), cloud software for backup documentation, and DAI’s operations system (TAMIS).
• Communicates with the Finance Manager and Project Management on troubleshooting technical issues.
• Conducts daily reviews of backup documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and full compliance with DAI policies and procedures.
• Maintains file management systems for soft and hard copy documentation.
• Performs regular spot audits on project files.
• Scans and uploads voucher files to DAI’s repository for the electronic archival of financial documentation.
• Assists in preparing information for any financial reporting requirements, or internal reports as necessary.

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General Accounting/Financial Support:

• Prepares weekly cash-flow forecasts for approval and prepares fund replenishment wire requests.
• Prepares invoices, advances and reimbursements, checks, and wire transfer payments for approval and processing, ensuring accuracy and timely execution.
• Prepares project expense vouchers (for all offices) ensuring accuracy of expense coding.
• Prepares payroll, ensuring leave balances and taxes are accurately recorded.
• Prepares tax and other remittances.
• Ensures the timely deposit of cash receipts.
• Acts as a bank agent securing petty cash replenishments and other cash needs as instructed.
• Records approved costs in DAI’s Field Accounting System (FAS).
• Prepares monthly bank reconciliations.
• Prepares backup documentation for all project-related transactions and ensures completeness and appropriate review and approvals are documented.
• Ensures petty cash is maintained according to maximum petty cash policy, and that all petty cash procedures are followed.
• Supports periodic cash counts.
• Audits travel requests and expense reports for accuracy and compliance and follows procedures to ensure accurate and timely payment and reconciliation of travel advances, reimbursements for staff and partner travel.

Other duties:

• Provides leave of absence cover for staff as required.
• Escalates any issues to his/her supervisor immediately.
• Prepared to travel to project provincial offices as required.
• Performs any other duties as assigned.

Required Skills or Experience

• B.A. Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or equivalent.
• 6+ years of relevant experience in an accountancy position.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience supporting USAID-funded projects in an accountancy/finance role.
• Demonstrated understanding of applicable finance-related USG contracting regulations.
• Accuracy in working with large amounts of data.
• Ability to respond effectively to the time sensitive inquiries.
• Experience with enterprise accounting software, and Microsoft office suite.
• An energetic, forward-thinking, and creative individual with high ethical standards and appropriate professional image.
• An extremely well organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.
• Fluency in English is required.

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